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ARMA   VIRUMQUE 


BY 
ROBERT  WITHINGTON 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2008  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/armavirumqueOOwith 


ARMA   VIRUMQUE 


BY 
ROBERT   WITHINGTON 


THE   HAMPSHIRE   BOOKSHOP.   Inc. 
NORTHAMPTON 
MASSACHUSETTS 

1917 


Copyright,  1917 

by 

Robert  Withington 


Frees  Gazette  Printing  Co.,  Northampton,  Mass. 


L) 

Uu7  7    Ci. 


This  collection  has  been  made  from  verses  which  have 
appeared  in  various  periodicals.  I  am  indebted  to  the 
editors  of  the  Boston  Transcript,  Munsey's  Magazine,  the 
New  York  Evening  Post,  the  Springfield  Republican  and 
The  Nation  (New  York)  for  permission  to  reprint  the 
poems  which  first  saw  light  in  their  pages. 


491018 


TO  MY  BROTHER 

LIEUTENANT 

PAUL  RICHMOND  WITHINGTON 

M.  D:    U.  S.  M.  O.  R.  C. 

I  DEDICATE 

THESE  PAGES 

HATING  WAR 

BUT  HEARING  THE  VOICE  OF  DUTY 

HE  VOLUNTEERED  WHEN  HIS  COUNTRY  CALLED 

AND  LEFT  HIS  HOSPITAL  WORK  IN  BOSTON 

TO  SERVE  ON  THE  FIELDS  OF  FRANCE 

1917 


CONTENTS 

SWITZERLAND  10 

THE   SEVENTH    OF    MAY  11 

ALBERT,   VIR  12 

CARDINAL   MERCIER  13 

MALINES  CATHEDRAL  14 

ON   SEEING  A   NEW   CARTOON   BY   RAEMAKERS  15 

BELGIS  16 

OUR  DEBT  18 

ECHOES   FROM   FRANCE  19 

L'ENTENTE  CORDIALE  20 

ON   FAME  21 

"E  PLURIBUS   UNUM"  22 

THE   MIRACLES   OF  WILHELM  24 

LES   CHAMPS  DE  DIEU  26 

TO   POSTERITY  28 

"I  STILL  LIVE"  29 

"NON  OMNIS   MORIAR"  30 


ARMA   VIRUMQUE 


"Arms  and  the  man" — the  World  War  and  Wilhelm — 
have  inspired  much  of  this  verse.  He  who  bears  the 
responsibility  for  the  war — and  surely  the  Kaiser  knew 
of  the  Austrian  Note,  and  could  foresee  its  conse- 
quences ! — has  stricken  a  century  with  agony  of  body  and 
mind;  but  he  has  revealed  new  glories  of  soul.  He  has 
united  the  rest  of  the  world,  and  has  taught  us  many  a 
needed  lesson — for  the  mould  of  materialism  was  upon 
us,  and  the  dust  of  ease  was  settling  on  our  ideals. 

We  are  roused  to  find  ourselves  in  a  Golden  Age.  We 
have  discovered  the  heroic  Albert,  the  devoted  Hoover, 
the  eloquent  and  determined  Wilson;  we  have  seen  the 
courageous  Kitchener,  the  persistent  Haig,  the  magnifi- 
cent Joffre.  The  resourcefulness  of  Japan,  the  honor  of 
England,  the  endurance  of  Belgium,  the  nobility  of 
France,  the  bravery  of  Italy,  the  patience  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  faith  of  the  world,  are  in  the  scales  against 
German  arrogance.  Russia  has  cast  off  the  chains  of 
Autocracy;  ancient  China  and  the  republics  of  South 
America  defy  the  Teutonic  over-lord.  Ruin  and  suffer- 
ing hath  he  sown — and  he  shall  reap  the  whirlwind. 

Punica  fides — deutsche  Treue!  Autocracy's  mask  has 
fallen  from  her  face.  And  the  Allies,  who  may  well  say 
with  the  Fathers  of  Massachusetts,  '*Ense  petimus  placi- 
dam  sub  libertate  quietem" — who  seek  with  a  sword  quiet 
peace  under  liberty, — may  rest  assured  of  final  victory, 
though  temporary  reverses  incre^ise  their  burden  for  the 
moment.  They  are  thrice  armed,  for  their  quarrel  is 
just. 


SWITZERLAND 

'Die  Existcuz  dcr  Schicciz  hdngt  auf  dem  Spiel" 

— H.  S.,  4  August  1914 


Brave  little  country  with  undaunted  soul — 
A  phare  of  freedom  in  a  sea  of  strife! 
Against  thy  borders,  hungry  for  thy  life, 
The  waves  of  war  with  threat'ning  thunders  roll. 
In  this  grim  nightmare  of  a  world  attaint, 
Thy  various  peoples  hold  one  common  aim, 
And,  watching  with  clear  eyes  the  deadly  game, 
Shoulder  a  heavy  loss  without  complaint. 
Massed  on  thy  marches,  ready  to  defend 
Each  lake  and  meadow,  each  majestic  peak, 
Thy  sons  stand  firm,  and  in  just  accents  speak 
To  all  thy  neighbors,  neither  foe  nor  friend. 

With  Belgium's  agony  before  her  bloodshot  eyes. 
Let  that  mad  nation  pause,  who  seeks  another  prize ! 


10 


THE    SEVENTH    OF   MAY 
1916 


A  GASP  of  horror  from  a  war-wrung  world, 

Drenched  in  the  blood  of  heroes,  told  the  tale : 

We  still  could  feel!  and  when  that  shot  was  hurled- 

A  grim  defiance — men  grew  yet  more  pale. 

Shout  triumph,  0  ye  Germans!     Was  your  boast 

That  ye  attack  unwarned  an  unarmed  foe? 

Women  and  children  off  the  Irish  coast, 

Seeing  Death  come,  have  had  good  cause  to  know ! 

No  act  of  God  was  this !     Let  Wilhelm  smile. 
Who  sent  a  thousand  to  their  sudden  doom. 
They  have  found  peace  beside  fair  Erin's  isle, 
The  restless  seas  surge  white  above  their  tomb — 
But  we,  who  heard  the  screaming  of  the  drowned. 
We  still  do  nothing  as  the  months  roll  round... 


11 


ALBERT   VIR 

7«  oldoi  days,  to  call  a  man  'kiughf  urns  to  compliment: 
noic  the  order  is  reversed.'' — Dudley  C.  Jones. 


Albert!    the  world  shall  ne'er  forget  thy  voice 
Firmly  maintaining,  in  calm  tones,  the  Right; 
Like  Luther  fearless,  thou  didst  make  thy  choice, 
And  Honor  spoke... 

The  cruel  German  Might 
Heard,  comprehending  not ;  and  in  its  spite 
It  loosed  on  Belgian  homes  the  hounds  of  war... 

Never  has  morning  failed  to  follow  night, 
Though  never  night  so  dark  was  seen  before. 

Thy  name — "illustrious"  and  "nobly  bright" — 
Reveals  new  glories  in  God's  handicraft ! 
As  David  faced  Goliath  wouldst  thou  fight, 
Of  the  unequal  battle  in  the  van... 
Defiant  stood  the  Teuton,  and  he  laughed — 
Here  was  a  King  who  also  was  a  Man ! 


12 


CARDINAL   MERCIER 
The  Holy  Patriot  of  Malines 

Enthroned  within  thy  prison,  courage  high, 
Thou  darest  threaten  when  thy  pleas  are  vain; 
Thy  dauntless  phrases  make  the  issues  plain. 
And  men  unborn  shall  hear  thy  people's  cry 
Voiced  with  the  force  of  Christian  majesty; 
0  noble  pastor  of  a  martyred  flock ! 
Thy  ringing  words  shall  teach  them  not  to  mock 
The  conquered,  who  have  taught  us  how  to  die ! 

Behind  a  rampart  of  live  steel,  which  Might 
Hath  built  about  thy  countrymen,  the  foe 
Fastens  a  bleeding  nation  to  the  Cross ! 
Bold  preacher  of  the  Triumph  of  the  Right, 
Thou  wilt  not  leave  thy  Belgium  in  her  woe — 
Scathless  her  Honor,  scant  she  counts  her  loss ! 


13 


MALINES   CATHEDRAL 
1916 


Massiv'E  and  proud,  thy  tower  from  afar 
Points  upward,  silent,  standing  tall  and  brown 
Against  the  western  sky ;  thy  ruined  town 
Clings  lovingly  about  thee;  many  a  scar 
In  thy  old  sides  (yet  has  foe  failed  to  mar 
Thine  ancient  beauty  still  serene!)  the  crown 
Of  mai-tyrdom  bestows.     If  He  look  down, 
Our  Lord  can  see  what  Prussians  truly  are! 

Emblem  of  Belgium !  riddled  by  the  shells 

Which  desecrating  enemies  have  hurled 

With  potent  rage...     The  bricks  wherewith  thy  wounds 

Are  bandaged,  tell  a  tale  to  all  the  world 

Of  courage  in  the  face  of  Hunnish  hounds, 

And  faith  triumphant  o'er  a  thousand  hells ! 


14 


ON   SEEING   A   NEW   CARTOON 
BY    RAEMAEKERS 


Fearless  portrayer  of  Kultur!     Thy  pen 

Has  opened,  with  its  trenchant  lines,  the  eyes 

Of  all  the  world  to  Belgium's  miseries 

And  Teuton  f rightfulness !     The  hearts  of  men 

Quiver  before  thy  pictured  horrors — then 

Thou  thrustest  deeper — 

Terror-laden  cries 
Swell  from  thy  pages...     Martyred  ghosts  arise, 
Women  and  children  writhe  and  wail  again... 

With  satire  sharper  than  the  Kaiser's  sword, 
Thou  dar'st  attack  him,  scoffing  at  the  price 
Wilhelm  hath  set  upon  thy  head ;  he  hears — 
(Thy  gift  becoming  poison  in  his  ears)  — 
The  sobs  of  feeble  victims,  which  suffice 
To  make  his  minions  glorify  their  Lord... 


IS 


BELGIS 


Hail  Belgians !    —Knowing  that  ye  must  succumb, 

{Ecce  Gennani!)  banners  ye  unfold: 

Red :  for  a  courage  of  no  common  mould ; 

Black :  for  the  anguish  Time  has  failed  to  numb, 

Each  stab  still  open...     God  shall  overcome 

Relentless  cruelty ;  then,  all  in  gold, 

The  brilliant  future  {these  are  not  the  old 

Colors  we  knew!)  shall  end  your  martyrdom! 

Heroic  kingdom  and  immortal  King! 
Our  land  has  much  to  learn  from  you ;  our  pride, 
0  brave  Ally!  is  not  unmixed  with  pain... 
Victim  of  Wilhelm,  take  what  aid  we  bring ! — 
Ere  we  were  roused,  one  hurried  to  your  side. 
Regardless  of  reward,  his  duty  plain... 


Since  August  1914.,  the  colors  of  Belgium  have  taken 
on  a  new  meaning — they  have  been  consecrated  by  suffer- 
ing bravely  borne.  Now  that  we  have  joined  ourselves 
with  the  Allies — no  longer  self-indulgent  and  too  proud 
to  fight — we  realize,  with  a  pang  of  envy,  that  we  can 
learn  a  lesson  from  the  little  kingdom,  which,  having  no 


16 


hope  of  victory,  resisted  the  crushing  force  ivhich  sivept 
across  her  borders,  because  she  knetv  that  Honor  was 
luorth  more  than  Property — that  he  ivho  ivould  save  his 
life  must  lose  it.  We  have  made  a  loan  (ivhy  was  it  not 
a  gift?)  to  the  Belgian  Government;  but  before  that,  for 
tive7ity-nine  months,  one  of  our  felloiv-citizens  {ivhose 
name  is  hidden  in  the  acrostic)  devoted  himself  to  the  re- 
lief of  Belgium,  sacrificing  his  private  interests  to  civili- 
zation and  humanity  with  an  idealism  which  has  earned 
the  gratitude  of  a  martyred  nation,  and  has  added  new 
lustre  to  the  country  of  his  birth. 


17 


OUR   DEBT 


There  was  a  time,  before  the  Kaiser  raised 
The  mask  which  hid  the  War-Lord's  face  from  men ; 
Before  the  were-wolf  from  his  murky  den 
Pounced  on  a  Europe  unprepared,  amazed ; 
Before,  with  insolence  too-plainly  phrased, 
He  circumscribed  our  freedom  with  his  pen, 
Thinking  us  fools,  too  proud  to  fight  him — when 
He  led  a  people  blood-and-iron-crazed... 

And  in  that  time  we  stood  apart,  too  long 
Wrapped  in  our  own  affairs,  giving  no  thought 
To  lands  beyond  the  sea. — 

That  time  has  passed ! 
We  hear  Democracy's  appeal  at  last. 

Wilhelm,  we  owe  thee  much ;  for  thou  hast  taught 
America  to  suffer  and  be  strong! 


18 


ECHOES    FROM    FRANCE 


The  colors  flew  gaily — 
The  troops  marched  ^^i^— 
I  saw  him  depart — and  my  soul  did  not  boast! 
On  the  road  to  Glory  his  sure  step  rang — 
Rang —  {Rang  I 

Ah,  le  premier  rang!) 
He's  in  France  at  his  post! 


His  firm  hand  grasped  me — 
His  arms  they  clasped  me — 
Eagerly  earnest — 'twas  there  he  stood! — 
I  can  hear  him  yet — the  hot  words  he  sang- 
Sang — ?  (Sang... 

Ah,  ce  sacre  sang!) 
Now  smothered  in  blood... 


V^ 


19 


L'ENTENTE    CORDIALE 


He  :     'Tis  strange — I  never  thought  of  it  before ! — 
But,  without  ?(,  I'amour  becomes  la  mort... 

She  :    It's  kind  of  you  to  say  that,  I  am  sure ; 
Still,  you  must  see...     /  am  not  in  amour! 

He:     Then  in  o/mer... 

She  :  And  if  I  go  from  there? 

He  :     The  sweet  of  love  will  quickly  turn  amer! 

She  :  And  in  that  sottrness  I  find  you  still? 

He  :     You'll  find  that  I  am  ever  of  your  will ! 

She  :  Would  I  were  certain — 

He:  Really,  can't  you  see — ? 

Oh,  you  and  I  together — 

She:     (smiling) :  That  makes  0  U  I! 


20 


ON    FAME 


Why  dost  thou  want  thy  deeds  forever  breathed 

By  lips  soon  closed  and  stuffed  with  wormy  mould? 

By  myriad  dwarfs  who  toil  for  paltry  gold 
Why  dost  thou  seek  to  have  thy  brow  enwreathed  ? 
Why  wouldst  thou  read  the  letters  of  thy  name 

Strewn  broadcast  through  the  land  on  a  printed  page? 

When  thou  art  gone,  and  thine  to  another  age 
Has  given  way,  what  wilt  thou  care  for  Fame? 

If  thou  canst  help  a  comrade  on  the  road 
We  all  must  walk — of  slow-descending  pave ; 
If  thou  canst  lighten,  for  a  while,  his  load — 
Make  him  forget  the  ever-nearing  grave, 
Thou  hast  done  all  the  proudest  man  may  claim... 
What  matters  it  if  no  one  knows  thy  name? 


21 


"E    PLURIBUS    UNUM 


America!    with  flag  unfurled, 
Thou  standest  proud  beside  thy  peers, 
Bound  with  thy  sister-nations  of  the  world. 
Throughout  the  years. 

Led  on  by  Courage  and  high  Hope, 
Our  fathers  crossed  the  unknown  seas. 
And  strove  with  Nature  in  the  wilderness, 
Forgetting  ease... 

And  Liberty  by  Concord's  stream. 
Equality  in  Charleston's  fort, 
Were  born  again.     The  Union  stands  supreme. 
With  power  fraught. 

A  v/hole  made  up  of  many  parts ; 
One  goal  approached  through  many  creeds: 
The  Universal  Brotherhood  of  hearts, 
For  which  Christ  pleads. 

One  Nation  made  of  many  States ; 
One  land  where  many  races  throng. 
Who,  sweeping  through  our  ever-open  gates, 
Swell  Freedom's  song. 


22 


Our  aims  are  high,  our  faith  is  sure ; 
And  though  we  fail — as  mortals  must — 
We  face  what  is  to  come,  and  feel  secure : 
*7n  God  we  trust!" 

America!     With  flag  unfurled, 
Thou  standest  proud  beside  thy  peers ; 
Bound  by  a  common  aim  with  all  the  world, 
Throughout  the  years ! 


23 


THE    MIRACLES   OF   WILHELM 


Herr  Wilhelm.  junior  partner  of  the  firm 
Of  Gott  &  Allah,  Ltd.,  (who  deal 
In  miracles  and  other  knick-knacks) — Germ- 
An  quite  in  sympathy,  at  home  in  Kiel, — 

(Mention  of  England's  Navy  makes  him  sqidrm, 
Although  his  foes  pretend  he  cannot  feel!) 

Willy,  I  say,  had  not  been  unaware 
That  holders  of  the  stock  of  Gott  et  Al. 
Were  growing  restless :  and  it  irked  him  sehr; 
So  he  determined — needing  capital — 
To  show  what  he  and  his  attractive  heir 
Had  done  to  date  in  exploits  magical. 

Exploits  exploiting  no  one  but  his  friends : 
P^or  Cousin  Nick  has  gone,  to  be  replaced 
By  ultra-Democrats;  and  Tino  lends 
The  Greeks  his  absence,  with  an  undue  haste ; 

{Does  Willy  fail  to  see  tvhat  yet  impends  f 
The  jeiuels  of  Autocracy  are  paste!) 

He  has  transformed  to  nations  under  arms 
All  the  most  peaceful  countries  of  the  earth ; 
The  U-boat  menace,  and  the  Zepp  alarms 
Serve  but  to  rouse  new  courage,  giving  birth 
To  keen  appreciation  of  the  charms 
Of  one  who  finds  such  gentle  cause  for  mirth... 


24 


The  flags  of  Russia  and  her  foe,  Japan, 
His  wizardry  entwined  in  friendship's  bond ; 
Brazil  and  China  (this  he  did  not  plan!)  — 
Great  Britain  and  her  child  across  the  pond — 
Forg-etting  old  disputes  (o7ie  sometimes  can!)  — 
Are  now  united  by  his  magic  wand. 

The  soul  of  Fi-ance — the  real  France — stands  revealed. 
Denouncing-  Will  in  no  uncertain  voice; 
America  has  wakened,  and  has  sealed 
A  compact  with  Democracy. 

Rejoice 
That  Selfishness  and  Ease  in  vain  appealed 
With  German  accent.     Honor  gave  no  choice! 

The  Bolsheviki — hypnotized  (or  bribed)  — 
Followed  the  magic  crystal  with  their  eyes ; 
And  gaily  (like  a  crowd  which  has  imbibed 
Or  wine  or  power  suddenly)  with  cries 
For  universal  peace  his  will  subscribed — 
Then  Russia  stirred,  and  Wilhelm  lost  his  prize ! 

He  has  ranged  all  the  world  (or  all  that  counts) 
Against  a  German  foe ;  but  one  more  trick 
He  still  must  do;  he  bade  his  subjects  pounce 
On  Europe  unprepared — now  rhetoric 
Must  keep  their  oozing  spirits  up ;    (an  ounce 

Of  sense — if  spilled  therein — woidd  make  them  sick!) 

He  and  his  vassals  must  (if  they  would  live) 
Constantly  argue,  threaten,  urge,  exhort  and  bawl... 

If  e'er  the  time  shoidd  come,  luhen,  fugitive, 

His  steps  no  longer  ring  in  castle  hall, 

Coidd  he  then  bring  his  people  to  forgive — 

'Twould  he  the  greatest  miracle  of  all! 


25 


LES   CHAMPS   DE    DIEU 


Red  poppies  nod  beneath  the  s%vay 
Of  gentle  breezes  in  the  grass, 
A  blaze  of  color — then  the  day 

When  reapers  pass... 
And  scattered  ivith  the  new-moivn  hay 
Pale,  faded,  blossoms  meet  decay. 
No  longer  bending  in  bright  array 

'Neath  southern  tvinds  i'  the  grass... 


Grave  Duty  speaks:  the  country's  call 
Startles  her  youth  from  desk  and  farm; 
Ready  at  once  to  give  its  all, 

Heedless  of  harm- 
In  lines  of  khaki,  straight  and  tall, 
Toward  battlefields  where  some  must  fall. 
They  march,  a  Kaiser  to  inthrall, 

The  Future  to  disarm. 

Flowers  must  fade,  and  men  must  die; 
Nature  is  pitiless — and  sure! 
The  scythe  of  Time  none  can  defy, 

Nor  long  endure... 
But  you,  the  "flower  of  our  land," — 
{In  peace  beside  us,  at  our  hand 

Unnoticed  and  obscure)  — 
Crossing  the  seas,  a  new  Ally 
'Gainst  him  who  set  the  world  awry, 
Join  others,  whose  stern  purpose  high 

Has  made  their  fame  secure! 

26 


Ye  will  that  nothing  shall  destroy 

The  source  of  friendship:  war  must  cease! 

And  unborn  children  shall  enjoy 

Freedom's  increase. 
A  woven  Past  of  blood  and  tears 
Clothed  our  calm  Yesterday;  now  fears 
And  blood  will  weave  for  coming  years 

A  world  of  lasting  peace! 

Some  march  no  longer  in  bright  array / 

Pale  faces,  eyes  of  staring  glass, 

And  mirthless  grins  greet  green  Decay, 

Grim  in  the  grass... 
But  those  who  lie  there,  ashen-gray, 
Have  sealed  a  pact  with  God ;  and  they 
Will  never  wholly  pass  away — 

They  cannot  pass... 


27 


TO    POSTERITY 

O  NAMELESS  children  of  a  future  age — 
Whose  grandsire,  as  I  speak,  is  still  unborn— 
Ye  have  no  cause  these  fearful  months  to  scorn ! 
For  you,  these  years  are  but  a  printed  page. 
Ye  cannot  feel  the  stern,  unbending  rage 
Of  nations  struggling  in  a  dread  embrace ! 
Ye  read  in  books  of  what  we  saiu  take  place... 
Think  not  too  lightly  of  your  heritage! 

'Tis  easier  far  to  study,  than  to  live 
Such  history  as  we  have  lived  for  you ! 
We  gave  the  best  of  all  we  had  to  give — 
Do  not  forget  us,  though,  with  them  we  slew. 
Grinning  beneath  the  sod,  we  lie — dumb  dust — 
Our  cannons  rotted,  and  our  swords  a-rust... 

Dead  are  our  feuds,  and  stilled  our  hymns  of  hate; 
Our  legacy  to  you  has  made  us  great! 


28 


"I   STILL   LIVE" 


He  who  is  not  forgotten,  is  not  dead! 
Nor  he  who  lies  obscure...     His  slightest  acts 
Give  rise  to  others,  which  in  turn  beget 
A  line  beyond  control.     His  lightest  words, 
Breathed  thoughtlessly,  spread  forth  before  his  eyes, 
Gigantic,  like  the  Genius  from  the  jar — 
Nor  all  his  wit  can  crush  them  back  again ! 
Which  one  of  us,  and  be  he  knight  or  knave. 
Can  say,  on  dying,  "I  have  left  the  world 
Exactly  as  I  found  it"?     None,  in  truth! 

The  Past 
Lives  still  in  us — has  made  us  what  we  are... 
We  change  the  Past,  and  pass  the  Present  on, 
Living,  when  we  are  gone,  in  other  lives 
That  knew  ours  not;  and  no  man  can  escape 
This  Immortality  which  all  must  share. 
Though  each  be  soon  forgotten. 

Think  on  this, 
And  understandjonce  bom,  thou  canst  not  die! 


29 


«NON   OMNIS   MORIAR" 

Long  centuries  ago,  the  Greeks  condemned 
A  wisdom-lover,  great  beyond  his  Age- 
He  gathered  to  his  side  his  intimates, 
Disciples  of  a  hundred  quiet  talks 
By  road  and  river,  and  in  banquet-hall ; 
He  shamed  their  sorrow  with  his  cheerfulness. 
He  bade  them  feast,  the  while  he  chided  them. 
Drying  their  tears. 

And  when  the  gaoler  came, 
Bringing  the  fatal  goblet  with  its  draught. 
He  drank  the  hemlock,  calmly  laid  him  down. 
Drawing  his  cloak  about  his  stiff'ning  limbs — 
And,  as  he  died,  Awe  hushed  the  voice  of  Grief... 

The  old  year  silences  the  moaning  wind 

Wrapping  his  withered  form  in  spotless  snow; 

The  leafless  trees  stand  gaunt  and  sternly  sad, 

Their  naked  arms  aloft  and  motionless; 

The  storm  is  over:  dark  and  sullen  clouds 

Race  angrily  across  the  broken  sky; 

The  foam-flecked  surf  but  ripples  to  the  shore; 

The  glassy  sea  reflects  the  midnight  stars 

In  her  black  depths ;  the  breeze  chokes  back  a  sob — 


30 


The  old  year  folds  his  blanket  closer,  now, 
And  with  the  cheer  of  Christmas  in  his  heart, 
Sighs  out  his  soul  upon  the  winter  air. 

Men  live  in  Time,  and  make  the  fame  of  years! 
This  War  now  raging,  Wilhelm,  hath  made  thine, 
As  thou  hast  given  the  three  dread  twelvemonths  past 
(And  more  to  come!)  a  bloody  name  indeed, 
Which  will  not  die  at  once. 

Ah,  happy  world. 
Could  it  forget  that  thou  hast  lived!  forget 
The  wreck  of  Serbia,  Belgium's  sufferings. 
The  sacrifice  of  France,  Great  Britain's  loss, 
Ay,  and  the  weight  of  woe  beneath  which  bends 
Thine  own  misguided  folk,  deaf  to  the  voice 
Of  Truth  and  Honor,  trusting  in  thy  Gott, 
Whom  thou  hast  fashioned  for  thy  private  ends! 
So  shalt  thou  live,  the  victim  of  thine  acts, 
Bound  with  the  memory  of  these  fatal  years... 
Cry  for  oblivion,  Autocrat!  that,  at  least, 
Thou  canst  not  have. 

Yet,  when  the  storm  is  past, 
The  clearer  light  to  which  we  shall  emerge — 
Foretold  by  flashes  of  self-sacrifice 
And  brave  endurance  in  these  darkest  hours — 
May  show  thee  forth  as  worker  of  God's  will. 
Whose  vain  attempts  to  add  to  thy  domain 
Gave  birth  to  a  new  era  for  mankind. 

81 


And  the  obscure,  who  suffer  and  who  die 
Unnoticed,  what  of  them?     Some  crime  redeemed 
By  heroism ;  worry  and  dull  routine 
Smothered  beneath  a  self-forgetful  calm 
At  home,  by  maids  and  widows ;  duty  done 
In  face  of  hell;  devotion  unrecorded, 
And  uncomplaining  sorrow  hid  in  service, 
Crown  with  undying  lustre  these  great  days! 
The  birth-years  of  an  epoch  glow  with  hope 
And  promise  of  new  life...     As  mothers  bear 
A  present  pain  by  looking  far  ahead 
At  noble  deeds  the  babe  is  born  to  do, 
So  we  find  strength  in  what  the  vast  obscure 
Have  given  to  these  months. 

And  good  can  grow 
From  evil,  as  a  flower  springs  from  dung; 
The  dawn  from  night,  nobility  from  war — 
Art  thou,  0  Wilhelm,  savior  of  the  race? 

Men  live  in  Time,  and  make  the  fame  of  years ! 
Thou  wilt  not  wholly  die,  whose  name  is  stamped 
Across  this  century;  who  hast  evoked 
Such  strength  from  Demos — and  such  sacrifice! 


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